CHESAPEAKE - Don E. Taylor, 70, lovingly known as "Pop Pop,"
departed this life Saturday, July 16, 2011, after a hard-fought
battle with cancer in the arms of his loving wife and surrounded by
his family. Don was born July 1, 1941 in Portsmouth, the third son
to the late James and Helen K. Taylor. He grew up in Cradock and
graduated from Cradock High School. As an adult, he received his
associate's degree at Tidewater Community College. He was employed
with the government as a telecommunications specialist. He also
worked for Western Electric. He was an active member of the
Ambassador Club of Portsmouth and Western Branch Athletic Club. He
coached baseball, the boys and girls basketball, the girls softball
in Western Branch, and the Western Branch Packers. He was involved
with the PIT for many years as a coach then the head of the
transportation committee and won the Harry "Hook" Hilman award. He
loved beach music and "shag dancing" with his bride.

He was married
to and survived by his high school sweetheart and the love of his
life, Dorothy R. "Mike" Taylor and they would have been married for
50 years in September. He is also survived by his only daughter,
Michele T. Graupmann (Robert) of Chesapeake; three sons, Todd Taylor
of Chesapeake, Sean Taylor (Cris) and Scott Taylor (Diana) of
Portsmouth; his much-loved grandchildren, Mallory and Jay James,
Lauren Gruapmann, Collin, Corbin and Abbey Taylor, Ryan Baggett,
Kirsten and Patrick Worley, Shane Taylor and McKenzie and Ian
Taylor; a special friend to the family, Jerry Freeman; his brothers,
Jackie R. Taylor (Avenell) of Suffolk and Stephen T. Taylor (Lisa)
of Portsmouth; a brother-in-law, William E. Riley Jr. "Pat" (Mary)
of Ocean Sands, N.C. He was predeceased by his brothers, James and
Aubrey Taylor, in-laws, Minnie L. and William E. Riley Sr.; and a
brother-in-law, Gregory L. "Rusty" Riley. Don loved his family and
all sports but he especially loved his N.Y. Yankees, Washington
Redskins, ODU Football and ODU Men's and Women's Basketball. He
followed Randolph-Macon's Women's Volleyball team for which his
granddaughter Mallory is a member. He was the proud "Pop Pop" to all
his grandchildren. Dad, "Did you ever know that you were our HERO"
and mom will never dance again. To your grandchildren you were a
great teacher and coach. You have no idea how much you will be
missed but you fought the good fight. The family would like to thank
the "angels" on 6RP at SNGH for their loving care and kindness
during his three-week stay but especially Ann, Amy and Quita. Don
continued to give even after he passed and thanks to his donation
two people are now able to see. His "ashes to ashes" wish was to be
cremated.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, July 19, at Sturtevant
Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, from 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial
service to celebrate his life will be held at First Presbyterian
Church, 515 Court St., Portsmouth, on Wednesday, July 20, at 2 p.m.
followed by a reception in the social hall. A separate memorial
service will be held at the Ambassador Club of Portsmouth on
Peninsula Avenue and will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 21,
followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may
be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Ambassador Club
Scholarship Fund. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.